Relativistic frame-dragging and the Hong-Ou-Mandel dip $-$ a primitive to gravitational effects in multi-photon quantum-interference

TL;DR

This paper explores how general-relativistic frame-dragging and gravitational time dilation can affect the Hong-Ou-Mandel quantum interference effect, proposing a way to observe quantum and gravitational phenomena simultaneously.

Contribution

It introduces a formalism for incorporating general-relativistic effects into multi-photon quantum interference experiments, specifically analyzing the HOM effect near rotating masses.

Findings

Frame-dragging induces observable shifts in the HOM dip.

Gravitational time dilation effects can influence HOM interference.

The formalism links quantum interference with general relativity.

Abstract

We investigate the Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) effect $-$ a two-photon quantum-interference effect $-$ in the space-time of a rotating spherical mass. In particular, we analyze a common-path HOM setup restricted to the surface of the earth and show that, in principle, general-relativistic frame-dragging induces observable shifts in the HOM dip. For completeness and correspondence with current literature, we also analyze the emergence of gravitational time-dilation effects in HOM interference, for a dual-arm configuration. The formalism thus presented establishes a basis for encoding general-relativistic effects into local, multi-photon, quantum-interference experiments. Demonstration of these instances would signify genuine observations of quantum and general relativistic effects, in tandem, and would also extend the domain of validity of general relativity, to the arena of quantized electromagnetic fields.